Light Upgrade for Fluval Evo 13.5

[Fishn28]

I still have the stock light for my Eco and want to upgrade to accommodate for a larger variety of corals. I've looked into the Fluval Marine 3.0 but haven't seen if they can grow any SPS corals, or if it's a good choice. Are there any "cheaper" or better alternatives?

 

[JoJosReef]

Are you restricted to bar lights? Are you keeping the hood or going open top/mesh?

Fluval Marine 3.0 has its pros, but power is not one of them. For growing coral and showing off their colors you are better off with a puck style light.

Excellent budget option: Noopsyche K7 mini--will grow anything in an Evo.

Step up: AI Prime 16HD--similar performance to K7 mini if not slightly under, but has a better App and better connection. Costs extra for arm bracket and a diffuser helps as well.

If you want to spend >$300, there are options others will recommend.

Of you must go with bars due to overhead restrictions, I've found the Reefpro Blue Heavy bars from 21LEDusa are well-powered for the Evo, and you can get two bars and controller for the price of the Fluval Marine 3.0. the power of two bars should be enough for any corals you want, but it can get annoying taking the bars off and on for maintenance.

Hole that helps!

 

[Fishn28]

Are you restricted to bar lights? Are you keeping the hood or going open top/mesh?

Fluval Marine 3.0 has its pros, but power is not one of them. For growing coral and showing off their colors you are better off with a puck style light.

Excellent budget option: Noopsyche K7 mini--will grow anything in an Evo.

Step up: AI Prime 16HD--similar performance to K7 mini if not slightly under, but has a better App and better connection. Costs extra for arm bracket and a diffuser helps as well.

If you want to spend >$300, there are options others will recommend.

Of you must go with bars due to overhead restrictions, I've found the Reefpro Blue Heavy bars from 21LEDusa are well-powered for the Evo, and you can get two bars and controller for the price of the Fluval Marine 3.0. the power of two bars should be enough for any corals you want, but it can get annoying taking the bars off and on for maintenance.

Hole that helps!

I personally like the hood but it's not a must have, I have yet to fid a mesh lid that looks like it would work, any suggestions?

 

[Fishn28]

Are you restricted to bar lights? Are you keeping the hood or going open top/mesh?

Fluval Marine 3.0 has its pros, but power is not one of them. For growing coral and showing off their colors you are better off with a puck style light.

Excellent budget option: Noopsyche K7 mini--will grow anything in an Evo.

Step up: AI Prime 16HD--similar performance to K7 mini if not slightly under, but has a better App and better connection. Costs extra for arm bracket and a diffuser helps as well.

If you want to spend >$300, there are options others will recommend.

Of you must go with bars due to overhead restrictions, I've found the Reefpro Blue Heavy bars from 21LEDusa are well-powered for the Evo, and you can get two bars and controller for the price of the Fluval Marine 3.0. the power of two bars should be enough for any corals you want, but it can get annoying taking the bars off and on for maintenance.

Hole that helps!

would you say that the Prime is worth the extra 100? Looks like it can grow anything with great colors

 

[TARHEEL78]

I personally like the hood but it's not a must have, I have yet to fid a mesh lid that looks like it would work, any suggestions?

Fluval Evo Evo 13.5 Custom Mesh Lid - Reef Casa

Protect your aquarium with this custom made mesh lid that fits perfectly over the fluval evo 13.5 gallon aquarium.

reefcasa.com

 

[Spare time]

I'd go with either a noopsyche mini, kessil a80 or a160we, ai blade, or reefbrite

 

[JoJosReef]

would you say that the Prime is worth the extra 100? Looks like it can grow anything with great colors

I do not think they are worth the price. I run 3 K7 minis on my 40, had one on my Evo (4th light I tried on that tank), and I have one on my 10g cube. I also have an AI Prime 16HD but recently sold it because I prefer the K7 spectrum and it is 5 watts more power than the Prime.

There are cons to the K7 mini. Some people have a horrible time with the wifi connection. I use the AP connection to connect directly to the light.

There are cons to the Prime as well. It has a strong discoball effect, which means a diffuser is useful (not needed, but useful), and the lens covering the LED chips tends to melt and need replacement.

I've heard good things about the AI blade though, so maybe there is a way to rig it up for the Evo in the hood, but I imagine the spread abd close distance to water would be limitations.

If you get a K7 mini, I have a small hack to extend the length of the flex arm so that it centers more easily when you fix it to the AIO chamber glass.

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

I run an AI Prime on the Saxby schedule and love it. I added a 3DReefing Prime diffuser. Even added a Nero 3. Really like AI products.

 

[JoJosReef]

Fluval Evo Evo 13.5 Custom Mesh Lid - Reef Casa

Protect your aquarium with this custom made mesh lid that fits perfectly over the fluval evo 13.5 gallon aquarium.

reefcasa.com

Uff, $70+ for a piece of framing and netting :-(

If you can DIY, here is an equivalent option:

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

 

[A2dahlberg]

I was looking at this, but I decided to keep the hood.
Amazon product